The Sultan

by T.J. Koll, Travis Koll

The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon sparked a new era in the United States, an era born of torn steel and crumbled concrete. As evident in book sales since 9/11, this new era has sparked a desire among Americans to learn more about the culture and history of the Muslim people. Central to both is the life of Islam's greatest military hero - the Sultan, Saladin. The Sultan, an historical-fiction novel focuses on the epic struggle of this Muslim warrior-king a century after Christianity's First Crusade. Driven by the murder of his father by crusaders, Saladin embarks on a journey that leads him into the desert battles of Egypt, through the death and treachery of politics in Damascus, and finally to the walls of Jerusalem itself.

272 pages, Paperback

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never heard of this author before I picked up this book and I enjoyed his writing. I was instantly intrigued about a work of historical fiction about the Crusades written from the point of view of Salah ad-Din. This is a book largely concerned with Saladin's early years and I was very appreciative of the obvious research the author put into studying the practices and language of Sunni Islam. This made the story appear very authentic. I also noticed how he drew the characters and described Yussuf's (a/k/a Saladin) transition from a scholar of the Koran to a formidable warrior. I did not know much about the rivalries and battles that were necessary for Saladin to unite Syria and Egypt and become The Sultan. My favorite part of the novel was prior to the siege of Kerak. The book was well written and almost perfect until the aftermath of the Battle of the Horns of Hattin. At that point, my historian's eye got distracted by the rewriting of many events; particularly the death of Raynaud Chatellion. These were altered to fit with the author's plot. I also wish the author would have included a larger cast of characters, the Leper King and Balian, the Defender of Jerusalem were not even mentioned. Still this is a great book and if it inspires anyone to learn more about the Crusades or Islam it has accomplished a great purpose. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys this period of history.